The days after their evening at the bar felt different. When Jaehyun saw Dojoon on campus, there was a new awareness between them. A lingering glance here, a slightly warmer tone there. Jaehyun knew his subtle seduction had planted a seed. The quiet intensity in Dojoon's eyes when he talked about his studies, the small, rare smiles he offered, the unexpected hint of vulnerability he'd shown when talking about his photography.
But there was more to Jaehyun's focus on Dojoon than just attraction. It went back further, to a time when Jaehyun felt unseen, overlooked.
(Flashback, 1st year)
Jaehyun was a freshman, navigating the overwhelming chaos of university life. Omegas on campus were often categorized quickly, based on their presentation and perceived desirability by alphas. There was a certain expectation, a subtle pressure to pair up, to find an alpha who would… provide. Jaehyun had always bristled against this unspoken rule. He was more than just his secondary gender. He was smart, funny, and fiercely independent.
He remembered one particular orientation event. A group of alphas were talking loudly, their voices carrying across the room. One of them, a popular senior known for his many omega partners, had made a sweeping statement about omegas being "naturally submissive" and "needing an alpha's guidance."
Jaehyun had felt a surge of anger. He'd wanted to argue, to challenge that outdated view, but he'd felt outnumbered, his voice insignificant against the confident alpha presence. He'd looked around, hoping to find someone else who felt the same way, but many of the other omegas present had simply nodded or even smiled, seemingly accepting the sentiment.
Then he had seen Kang Dojoon.
Dojoon had been standing slightly apart from the group of boisterous alphas, his expression unreadable. He hadn't joined in their conversation, hadn't nodded in agreement. He simply observed. To Jaehyun, in that moment, Dojoon had seemed different. Aloof, yes, but also… discerning. Like he wasn't swayed by the usual alpha posturing.
Later, Jaehyun had overheard some betas talking about Dojoon. They called him "unapproachable," "only interested in his studies." Some omegas whispered that he was "cold." But to Jaehyun, Dojoon's lack of interest in the typical alpha games felt like a quiet strength.
He'd started to notice Dojoon more. The way he carried himself with quiet confidence, the intelligence that shone in his eyes when he spoke about his work. Jaehyun had begun to see him not as the stereotypical desirable alpha, but as an individual.
And that's when the idea had sparked. What if he, an omega who often felt underestimated, could capture the attention of the seemingly uninterested alpha? It wasn't just about attraction; it was also a quiet rebellion against the expectations placed on omegas. It was a personal challenge, a way to prove that connection could be forged on his own terms, not by simply fitting into a pre-defined role.
Snagging Kang Dojoon, the aloof alpha, had become more than just a romantic pursuit. It was a statement.
(End of Flashback)
Back in the present, Jaehyun understood his own motivations more clearly. It wasn't just about Dojoon's appealing exterior or his intelligence. It was about the challenge, the desire to connect with someone who seemed to see beyond the usual dynamics, and perhaps, to prove something to himself.
His plan was just starting, to truly connect with Dojoon, he needed more than just fleeting moments of attraction. He needed to understand the man beneath the aloof exterior.
His next step wouldn't be about overt flirting, but about finding deeper common ground, about showing Dojoon who Shin Jaehyun truly was, beyond the omega who sometimes needed help with math and occasionally showed up at the bar.
He thought about Dojoon's interest in photography and smiled.